08.02.2026 17:10
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, who attended the Mevlid-i Sharif held at the Sultanahmet Mosque for Ahmet Minguzzi, spoke about the anticipated "Regulation on Children in Conflict with the Law" upon his exit. Minister Tunç stated, "We have not abandoned the family, and we will not abandon them," and added, "The commission's work regarding children in conflict with the law is ongoing. Once the work is completed, legal regulations will be brought to our parliament based on the report that will be formed."
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç attended the Mevlid-i Sherif held at the Sultanahmet Mosque for Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi (15), who was attacked and stabbed to death by underage children in Kadıköy. Speaking to reporters after the event, Minister Tunç addressed the "Regulation on Children Driven to Crime," which the public has been waiting for.
"LEGAL REGULATIONS WILL BE ON THE AGENDA IN OUR PARLIAMENT"
Minister Tunç stated, "We have submitted this draft to our parliamentary group, our parliamentary group has evaluated it, and then discussions were held with other political parties; an agreement was reached with all political party groups in the parliament. It was concluded that especially identifying the reasons that drive children to crime, eliminating these reasons, and thoroughly investigating the measures to be taken, both in terms of punishment and preventive measures, and making a legal amendment based on the results is necessary. Currently, our Istanbul deputy, Ms. Tuğba Turgut, is continuing the work of this commission, and after the commission's work is completed, legal regulations will be on the agenda in our parliament based on the report that will be formed."
"PUNISHMENT OF THOSE UNDER 18 IS REGULATED IN ARTICLE 31 OF THE TURKISH PENAL CODE"
The full statement of Justice Minister Tunç is as follows:
"The fact that children commit crimes against each other or against adults has brought the issue of children driven to crime to the country's agenda. Here, especially the issues related to the punishment of children under 18 are regulated in Article 31 of the Turkish Penal Code.
In this regard, Turkey's practice has consisted of three stages for many years. Children under the age of 12 have no criminal responsibility, and measures specific to this age group are applied. In the 12-15 age group, there is a reduction in the sentence by half. In the 15-18 age group, a reduction is also applied. In cases of intentional murder, for the 15-18 age group, aggravated life imprisonment corresponds to up to 24 years, and for the 12-15 age group, up to 15 years can be imposed, this is how our law is.
When we look at the practices of other countries, similar regulations can be seen. In some countries, there is no criminal responsibility under the age of 15, in some it is 14, and in others, it is 13, and this practice in Turkey has been maintained as 12 years since 2005.
"IT IS CLEAR THAT WE NEED TO REEVALUATE OUR LEGISLATION"
At this point, it is clear that in order to prevent children from participating in such crimes, both to ensure deterrence and to reevaluate our legislation, the sensitivity of the public and the need for deterrence are evident. In this context, as the Ministry of Justice, we have worked on a draft for our parliamentary group. In this draft, especially in the event that children in this age group are involved in crime, the manner of committing the crime, the child's tendency to commit crimes, past criminal records, criminal history, and the intensity of intent should be taken into account, and it was thought that judges should be given discretion on a case-by-case basis.
"WE HAVE SUBMITTED THE DRAFT TO OUR PARLIAMENTARY GROUP"
We have submitted this draft to our parliamentary group, our parliamentary group has evaluated it, and then discussions were held with other political parties; an agreement was reached with all political party groups in the parliament. It was concluded that especially identifying the reasons that drive children to crime, eliminating these reasons, and thoroughly investigating the measures to be taken, both in terms of punishment and preventive measures, and making a legal amendment based on the results is necessary. Currently, our Istanbul deputy, Ms. Tuğba Turgut, is continuing the work of this commission, and after the commission's work is completed, legal regulations will be on the agenda in our parliament.
"THERE IS A PROVISION IN THE 11TH JUDICIAL PACKAGE"
Additionally, there is a provision in the 11th Judicial Package that has been legalized in this regard. In cases where children are used in organized crimes, the regulation to increase the penalties for organization leaders and members, as well as those who use children in crimes, by half has been legalized with the 11th Judicial Package. The regulations regarding the penalties in Article 31 of the Turkish Penal Code will also be implemented after the commission's work.
The processes of the cases related to both of our children and other children are ongoing. There are also some investigations and cases across the country that we cannot name here. The investigation of Atlas Çağlayan is ongoing at the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, and the process regarding those who committed crimes in the 12-15 age group is being closely monitored. Additionally, an investigation has been opened regarding individuals who threatened the Çağlayan family via social media, and four people have been identified and arrested.
Similarly, investigations have been opened regarding individuals identified for threats and insults against Ahmet Minguzzi's family, arrests have been made, and necessary punitive measures have been implemented. A total of four individuals have been sentenced to up to five years for threatening the family, praising the crime and the criminal, and for the crime of insult, as well as one person for desecrating the grave.
"OUR SENSITIVITY ON THIS ISSUE IS EXTREMELY HIGH, OUR DETERMINATION IS COMPLETE"
Our sensitivity on this issue is extremely high. As can be seen from the statements of our President during cabinet meetings and afterwards, our determination on this issue is complete. We must take the necessary measures with sensitivity by families and the relevant institutions of our state to protect our children and keep them away from both the negative effects of social media and involvement in crime. The protection of children has become an important issue worldwide, and in Turkey, the Child Protection Law came into effect in 2005, and regulations aimed at protecting children and preventing abuse have been implemented in our constitution. We continue to maintain our sensitivity regarding the implementation of these constitutional and legal regulations.
We are closely following the investigations, and we pray for the mercy of Allah for our child Ahmet Minguzzi, our child Atlas Çağlayan, and all the children who have been brutally murdered, and we sincerely share the pain of their families. We know that the pain of a mother who has lost a child is indescribable, we respect this sensitivity, and we emphasize our determination to take appropriate measures.
"WE DID NOT LEAVE THE FAMILY ALONE, WE WILL NOT"
On the first anniversary of our child Ahmet's passing, we did not leave the family alone, we have been in constant contact with the family and participated in the mevlid program to pray. May God not allow our families to experience such pain again. We express that we are alongside the Minguzzi family and all families who have lost their children during this process, and that our President has been in contact with the family since the beginning of the incident, giving his instructions, and that necessary legal regulations will be on the agenda once the commission's work is completed.
Once again, we pray for God's mercy on our dear Ahmet, our dear Atlas, and the other children. We wish their families and our nation patience and condolences.